Chapter 2: Peter

Sirius paced the Potters' living room, his usually good-looking face strained with fear and anger. His eyes showed the first sign of tears, but not a single drop trickled from his eye. He would not give the Dark Lord that satisfaction. He stopped pacing for a moment to look at the couple sitting before him, and the baby sleeping soundly in his mother's arms. On looking at young Harry, a lump formed in Sirius's throat. He reached out to Lily, and she reluctantly passed her son into his arms. It was evident to everyone who knew them how much Sirius loved Harry. He loved him as though he was his own son, and now, holding him in his arms, he looked every bit the caring father.

Not lifting his eyes from Harry's face, Sirius broke the silence with a raspy voice. "I'll do it. Of course I will."

"Thanks, Sirius," Lily said, quietly, looking at him from tearful eyes.

James half-smiled at his best friend. He hadn't the energy, or joy, to smile sincerely. Though he knew he could trust Sirius, he couldn't help thinking that they couldn't stay in hiding forever, and that his only baby boy would one day be sent out to destroy the darkest and most evil Wizard that ever lived. At least his place at Hogwarts was held for him, and would have Albus Dumbledore presiding over him.

Sirius noticed James grim expression. He looked so utterly depressed.

"I'll be on your side, James, you know I will," he said, quietly.

James jerked his head up and looked Sirius in the eye, searching him. He had been his best friend all through school, and was like an adopted brother to him. When his parents passed away, Sirius was just as upset as he was, and welcome at their home in Godric's Hollow, where he and Lily now lived.

"I know that, brother," he said sincerely, "We trust you above all others. You were the first name we thought of. I am just so worried, no matter how long we put this off, it will happen one day. Harry will be alone when he fights the Dark Lord. We cannot help him there. Only he can bring about the fall of Voldemort."

"He wont be alone. Not really. We can teach him all we know, and he will be prepared. And he will be the better Wizard, because he will fight for the side of good, not evil," Sirius said.

"You sound like a comic book character," James said, with a swift laugh.

Lily nodded in agreement, smiling at James. Sometimes it felt like they were reading each other's thoughts. Her smile soon faded from her face, and when she spoke, her voice shook.

"It's not like we can keep him wrapped up in cotton wool forever, though," she said with a heavy sigh, "He will have to leave this house. Even if we lock him up until he is ready for Hogwarts, he will have to leave here so he can go to Kings Cross. And then what?"

"It isn't Voldemort's style to jump out from the shadows," Sirius said, "He would have to be clever about it, there would have to be some form of…"

"Dignity?" James prompted, "If we keep him locked up here for years, I'm certain that Voldemort will become too impatient to think of style. He will be hell bent on destroying the competition."

Lily sniffed, and she was once again on the brink of tears. Usually a very ferocious, typical redhead woman, it was alarming to see her so upset for so long. Then, this was her only child they were talking about.

James embraced her, and kissed her forehead. He knew how it comforted her to have him close-by at times like these.

"It's been a long day. We should get some rest," he muttered to her, his face pressed against hers. She breathed heavily, causing her body to shudder, and squeezed James before letting him go.

"You're right," she said, standing in the process and prying Harry from Sirius's arms "I'll go ahead and put this little tyke down," She kissed Sirius on the cheek and smiled at him. "And to think, I used to hate you. Now you are saving my little boy. Thank you Sirius. I really appreciate this more than you will ever understand."

Sirius knew that Lily had grown out of her hatred of 'the marauders,' but, none the less, it felt good to be reminded that he was welcome here. She turned and kissed James quickly before descending the staircase to their room.

Sirius resumed Lily's seat, and looked at James. No matter how distraught he was about the situation, he knew that James felt a million times worse. He barely recognised this wreck of a man sat before him. His skin had lost all colour, and his usually bright eyes were dull. His typically messy hair now had pulled out all the stops, and stuck out at various angles, no doubt from him running his hands through his hair all night with stress. Now, with Lily out of sight, Sirius put his arm around his best friends shoulder, as a single tear rolled down his lifeless face.

Not wanting to leave his distraught wife alone for long, James left Sirius and climbed the stairs slowly. Upon entering, he saw that Harry was sound asleep in his cot beside them. Lily was lying with her face in the pillow, angry sobs pulsating through her body. Her head throbbed from crying and her entire body ached. James laid down beside her and placed his hand on her back. She turned her face away from his, utterly disgusted with herself. James had been able to keep a brave face for her, why couldn't she do the same? He obviously felt just as badly as she did.

James wasn't shocked when Lily turned away, he didn't take it personally. He turned on his side and pulled her towards him, wrapping an arm around her waist. He breathed in her scent and kissed her neck, resting his head there. Lily let out one last shuddering cry, and placed her hand on top of James', glad that she at least had him to lean on. She felt his warm breath on her neck, and felt instantly calmer. No words were needed between them - they had an understanding greater than words could achieve. She turned to face James and buried her head in his chest, listening to the rhythmic beating of his heart, while he played with her hair until sleep took them over.

Sirius trudged up the stairs not long after James and entered his room. This had been his room since he left home to live with the Potters, and James requested that he stay, even after he married.

He rested his head on the pillow, eyes staring blankly ahead. He would be the Potters secret keeper. It seemed to him that he was the obvious choice.

'Yeah, maybe a bit too obvious'

Sirius was shocked by this unfamiliar voice in his head, and the thought it brought with it – Voldemort knew who they were from the fights between Death Eaters and the Order, what if he knew?

'So what if he knew. It's not like you would tell him anyway'

"That's true," Sirius thought to himself, closing his eyes to welcome sleep.

'Veritaserum. He could force you, you know…'

Sirius sat bolt upright in bed. It was so simple! Of course, he would have access to this potion; he had many great Potioners at his disposal within his Dark Army. How could he overlook this? One stupid step could cost the Potters all they have, and Harry's life…

Sirius's breathing had become ragged, and he was sweating profusely. As much as he wanted to help his best friends, he knew that there was no use trying to hide this information if he was forced to take Veritaserum. It would be out of his control. Did he really want to be the one responsible for the demise of the Potters?

He looked towards his bedroom door. He should walk right over to them this instant and tell them he can't do it. He threw his legs over the side of his bed before that little voice interrupted him again.

'Wouldn't want to do that. Remember what happened the last time you barged in on them in the middle of the night?'

Sirius winced. He loved Lily and James, but never again did he want to relive what he had seen that night. With a shudder, he climbed back into bed, and sat up against the headboard. He felt as though his heart had fallen all the way to his stomach. He wished he could do something to help
them.

"Explore your options," he thought to himself, "Who else could do it? Remus, perhaps?"

'Ahh yes, Remus Lupin, your other best friend. What kind of idiot are you? He is in exactly the same boat as you! Voldemort knows him! He knows you to be close friends! Think, you fool, who would he not suspect? Who, out of all of your friends, is the most unlikely choice?'

After much thought and deliberation, the truth finally dawned on Sirius.

"Peter…" he said out loud.

'There you go. I knew you could do it. Rest now, and tell the Potters tomorrow. The Dark Lord will never suspect him. It's the perfect plan…'

Sirius smiled to himself. It really was a perfect plan. Who would ever suspect poor, dithering, whimpering, clumsy Peter Pettigrew? He could barely say his own name, never mind disclosing a secret.

Sirius lay back on his bed, smiling at his own genius. But was it his idea? He closed his eyes and drifted to sleep, dreaming of a young boy with red hair, and a pet rat, and a mad-mans voice repeating "He's at Hogwarts," When Sirius woke, the dream disappeared, forgotten.

"Peter!" Lily said, a little higher than she had meant to. Peter Pettigrew was now sitting in the Potters living room, while she, Sirius and James were in the kitchen discussing this sudden turn of events. Sirius hushed her and threw her a warning look.

"Yes, Peter!" he whispered through gritted teeth, putting his hands unnecessarily over Harry's ears, as if to protect him from this information.

"You expect us to place Peter Pettigrew in the same level of trust as we place you?"

Sirius smiled at her fondly, any compliments she gave he received with appreciation, as only a short few years ago she thought him too arrogant to waste breath on.

"Obviously, Lily, darling, I do not expect you to give Wormtail the same amount of trust you give me," Sirius said smoothly, "I just think it would be a good diversionary tactic to use young Pettigrew instead of me. Show the Dark Lord he isn't the only one who can play mind games"

Lily still looked as though she had been slapped in the face, but a wicked grin was spreading across James' face. He had the same look on his face as he did when he was planning another one of his wild, reckless adventures with the Marauders. Noticing this, Lily shook her head and looked at the ground, so the boys wouldn't see her smiling to herself.

"This might just work, Padfoot!" James said, practically squealing with delight. "Your evil genius has never ceased to amaze me!"

Lily turned and walked towards the kitchen window. She knew it meant trouble when that bunch started going by their nicknames.

"I knew you'd appreciate it, Prongs," Sirius said, mimicking James' wicked grin. "I am sorry if I was a little rash in inviting him over here without informing you first, but I knew that you would agree, and that Dumbledore is on his way. Time is of the essence!" he said, while walking towards Lily. They were closing in on her. She turned to find herself face to face with the same two wild boys she thought she had left behind in Hogwarts. These boys she didn't trust with her son, and she took him from Sirius's arms. Despite herself, she actually agreed with Sirius. His plan did make sense. Voldemort would be expecting them to use Sirius, failing that, Remus, but never Peter! Sure, he hung around with them in school, but that was mainly out of pity.

Lily, personally, never liked him. He was such a leech on James. Plus there was something rather unnerving about his Animagus form being a rat…

She opened her mouth to answer, but was distracted by an owl flying directly through their open kitchen window. A little startled, Lily passed Harry into James' arms, removed the letter from the owl and studied the wax seal.

"It's from Hogwarts," she said. She looked from Sirius to James with her eyebrows furrowed. They had been expecting Dumbledore to show up in person to perform the charm.

Lily exhaled loudly and attempted to rip open the letter, but it was as though it was made from wood, and could not be opened by hand.

"Official Order business it is," she muttered while reaching for her wand, and muttering a lengthy incantation. Finally, the envelope dissolved, and a transparent model of Dumbledore stood in front of them. He looked slightly panicky, although for Dumbledore, this was hard to tell.

"There has been a mass Muggle killing in Leeds. There are at least fifty people assumed dead," he said in a rushed voice, "Lily, I entrust you to perform the charm. You can do it. You know how. I will come to your place of residence when I return from Leeds, if I can find it, that is"

He winked at the three of them, and like the envelope, dissolved into thin air.

Lily pursed her lips and turned on her heel. Sirius and James watched her walk purposefully towards the bookshelf in the living room. Peter looked up at her as she entered, but didn't say anything. Lily rather thought that he was afraid of women. "Another area of life he failed in," she thought to herself.

Finding the book she was looking for, she threw it down on the writing desk and starting flicking urgently through the dusty pages.

"Lily…" James started, unsure of himself.

"James?" Lily answered, barely opening her mouth.

"Er…. You aren't really thinking of doing this spell yourself, are you?" he said quickly.

Sirius hissed in a deep breath behind him, and Lily turned so quickly she could have done herself an injury.

"What would you suggest, Potter?" she spat, "Wait until Voldemort is finished killing poor innocent people so Dumbledore can have a free minute to pop by and administer the charm? Every minute we wait is a minute wasted, James. He could be getting closer to Harry. So to answer your question, darling, yes. I am going to do this spell myself."

On these words, Peter whimpered audibly, only stopped when Sirius threw him a blazing look.

James shrunk under Lily's stern glare, and hung his head. He rocked Harry in his arms, and busied himself looking into his sons eyes, identical to his mothers. Pity his mother's eyes were so filled with fury right now.

"No more questions? Good," Lily said. Sirius snorted loudly. Lily could have given McGonagall a run for her money if she had taken up teaching instead of opting to be a curse breaker.

Having found the page she was looking for, Lily rounded on Peter, brandishing her wand at him. He squeaked, rather like the rat he is, until all three of them told him to shut his mouth.

"I promise this wont hurt a bit," Lily said in a falsely sweet tone. Peter shrunk back into the couch and closed his watery eyes tightly, with a pained expression on his face. Sirius grabbed him by his collar and forced him upright, appalled by his behaviour.

"What are you, a man or a mouse?" he said in a disgusted tone.

"Rat, actually," James muttered, forcing laughter out of Sirius. Harry giggled, and it seemed as though he understood the joke. "That's my boy…"

Lily threw them a silencing look, as she need a lot of concentration for this spell. One mispronounced word could cause Peter here to sprout another hand out of his chest.

Lily stood silently, breathing heavily with her eyes closed. She muttered a few choice words under her breath, with her arms crossed across her chest and her wand pointing upwards. The longer she did this, the others noticed she radiated power, and as from nowhere, a strong gust of wind rippled through her hair. When she opened her eyes, she was barely recognisable. Her iris was almost completely engulfed by her pupil, and they sparkled with energy. The voice that escaped her lips was not her own, and when she lifted her hand, Peter was lifted from his feet. Had he been conscious of this events, he would have been screaming with fear, but the instant Lily looked at him, he slipped into a deep trance.

"Prôtectîo Dominus! Electo Corpus Marsi in Patronus Aeditimus Mysta!"

James and Sirius exchanged nervous glances at each other. Lily had invoked dark magic to cast this spell, and neither of them recognised it, even though, apparently, the Fidelius Charm was N.E.W.T level. Lily repeated this incantation multiple times, each time with Peter turning dangerously overhead. Sirius and James didn't dare interrupt her for fear the spell would take a terrible turn.

All of a sudden, Lily's body shook violently, and Peter came crashing down from the ceiling. He climbed to his feet with a bemused look upon his face, as though he didn't know how he had gotten onto the floor. Sirius took Harry from James' arms, and signalled that he should go to her.

James rushed to Lily's side, and picked up her frail form from the ground. She grinned at him feebly, and he was glad to see those familiar green eyes looking up at him.

"Did it work?" she asked quietly.

"Only one way to find out," Sirius said, turning to Peter, "tell me where the Potters live"

"N.. number s.. s.. Seven, Godric's Hollow," he stammered.

Sirius frowned at him. "Next time, don't tell anyone where they live!"

"No this is good," Lily said, turning to Sirius, "Tell me where the Potters live"

"N…. n….." Sirius attempted. He couldn't say the words. They were forming in his mouth, but every time he tried to utter them, his tongue seized up and he started stuttering. Adamant to continue trying, Sirius found that his entire mouth felt as though it was stuffed with cotton wool, and he was choking on his own words.

"That's enough, Padfoot," James warned.

Sirius relented, and ran his tongue over his teeth. His mouth felt tingly, almost like his mouth had fallen asleep.

Peter was smiling broadly, from what the others thought was pride in their confidence in him.

"Can't stay, I'm afraid," he said, even though nobody invited him to, "I have important business to attend to. I have company staying with me."

He scurried around the living room, picking up his scattered belongings that had fallen from his pockets while he had been suspended above the others.

James still had Lily in his arms and lifted her to a seat by the hearth. He brushed a few stray hairs from her forehead and observed her lovingly.

"Did you hurt yourself when you fell, darling?" he murmured to her.

"I'm fine, just a little tired, that spell took a lot out of me," she said in barely a whisper.

James smiled at her, and pointed his wand towards the fireplace to start a fire.

Moments before, however, an owl flew down the chimney place and landed on Lily's arm. On its leg was another letter from Dumbledore. This one, however, was not cryptic like the last.

Lily, I trust that all went well. Extra precautions need to be taken, just in case. Page One hundred and ninety-four. You will see. A.P.W.B.D

James looked quizzically at his wife, but saw that she understood exactly what this letter had meant. Still confused, he kissed Lily on the forehead and stood up. Sirius had been grinning at his friends from his favourite seat by the fire. James sat beside Sirius, and ran his hands through his unruly hair. They smiled at each other - they felt safe.

Lily on the other hand was slightly uneasy. She stood up gingerly and walked over to the book she had just consulted for the Fidelius Charm. She flicked through the pages and found what she was looking for. A protection spell. She gasped quietly when she saw that in order for the spell to take effect, she would have to die.

"It's just a precaution," she told herself. She left the book open on that page, and stepped away from the book. If she was ever in the situation where it was her life or Harry's, she knew what she was going to do. She nodded to herself, sealing herself to her personal pact. It would be unlikely that she would ever have to resort to this. "Only a precaution," she repeated.

Peter Pettigrew scampered out of view from the Potters residence, and transformed into his Animagus form. He was practically skipping with glee - his dedication to the Dark Lord was going to be proven, he would be honoured above all other Death Eaters. There was no denying his loyalty now. He had used the Imperius Curse to take advantage of the feeble mind of Sirius Black. He amused himself with how easy it was to convince him of his choice. He always had been more interested in his own well - being than in others. Before long, Peter had found himself amongst a circle of hooded Wizards, all facing him. He couldn't tell who was there, but one that was, was Lord Voldemort. He stood before him, robes billowing in the wind, no trace of joy on his face. No doubt he had expected Peter to fail again. Peter felt a surge of suppressed rage - no one ever had any faith in him, not the Death Eaters, not the Marauders, not anyone. He was about to prove them all wrong. They would get what was coming to them, after all those years of ridicule. He transformed to his Wizard self, bowed and kissed the hem of the Dark Lord's robes. Still facing downwards, he spoke clearly.

"The Potters can be found at number seven, Godric's Hollow."

High pitched laughter erupted before him, his skin crawled, he felt sick. He had betrayed his only friends. "Some friends," he thought to himself, reaffirming his decision. He was being lifted to his feet, all the Death Eaters were pleased with his work and he felt like he finally belonged. An evil grin spread across Peter's dirty face and he laughed manically along with his fellow Death Eaters.

Back in Godric's Hollow, Lily Potter woke with a scream in her living room, sweat trickling down her face and tears forming in her eyes, startling the two sitting in front of her.